Americium (Am)

Americium is used in household smoke detectors, making it the most common synthetic element in daily life.

Inside a smoke detector — the americium-241 disc ionizing the air until smoke breaks the current — Video: Inside a smoke detector — the americium-241 disc ionizing the air until smoke breaks the current

Properties of Americium

Atomic number: 95
Category: Actinide
Atomic mass: 243 u
Electron configuration: [Rn] 5f⁷ 7s²
Melting point: 1449 K (1175.85 °C)
Boiling point: 2880 K (2606.85 °C)
Density: 13.69 g/cm³
Electronegativity (Pauling): 1.3
Appearance: Silvery-white metal
Discovered by: Glenn T. Seaborg (1944)

Facts about Americium

Americium is in almost every smoke detector in your home!
Americium was named after the Americas!
Americium was first made during the Manhattan Project in World War II!
Americium is the most common artificially made element in everyday life!

Americium videos

Inside a smoke detector — the americium-241 disc ionizing the air until smoke breaks the current

Back to the periodic table · Americium on Wikipedia